GUWAHATI, Sept 7 - The Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana, which aims to provide pension benefit to over three crore self-employed workers in the country, was today formally launched in the State.
The scheme, an extension of the PM Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana, will make all beneficiaries eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after the age of 60 at a miniscule monthly contribution. For an 18-year-old, the contribution is Rs 55 and for a 40-year-old it is Rs 200. The government will contribute an equal amount.
Shopkeepers and self-employed persons with GST turnover below Rs 1.5 crore and aged between 18-40 years, can enroll for the scheme. Rs 750 crore has been earmarked for the scheme in the Union Budget 2019-20.
Interested persons can enroll themselves through over 3.25 lakh Common Service Centers spread across the country.
�The provisions of this scheme shall apply to the laghu vyaparis, who are self-employed and working as shop owners, retail traders, rice mill owners, oil mill owners, workshop owners, commission agents, brokers of real estate, owners of small hotels, restaurants and others,� Labour Commissioner Narayan Konwar said. He handed over the PM Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Cards to a few beneficiaries at a Common Service Center in Mangaldoi town today.
According to the sixth economic census conducted in 2013-14, the total number of commercial establishments in the State was 20.3 lakh. Total number of persons employed in these establishments, including the owners, was 39.5 lakh.
Gyan Doley, NE Regional Head of CSC SPV, informed that special drives will be organised by the Labour Department in collaboration with the CSCs to spread awareness about the scheme amidst the target citizens in the coming days.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India has been chosen as pension fund manager responsible for managing the pension fund, central record keeping agency and responsible for pension pay out.
